Mines minister Sis Ram Ola has written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and railway minister Lalu Prasad, urging them to make additional rakes available to National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco), so that coal required for its captive power plant can be met.
Ola?s letter comes in the wake of Nalco CMD CR Pradhan?s writen request stating the company requires 14,500 metric tonne of coal every day to produce 720 mw for its captive use. At present, it is only getting 9,000-9,500 metric tonne coal every day.
However, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd was making for the shortfall by supplying coal to Nalco from different collieries through railway BOBRN rakes. However, supply of BOBRN has reduced progressively, and Nalco is not getting BOBRN at all. As a result, the company?s stock has reduced to zero from 1,20,000 metric tonne in April.
Thus, the company immediately requires at least 1.5 rakes every day. Otherwise, it will have to close one of its three operating plants.
Once the plant is closed, it will take at least four months to restart the closed potlines. Also, if the problems persist for longer periods, the company may have to lay off some of its employees. The company requires three rakes for two days production.